Friday, August 25, 2006

I have had many people ask where am I going to be, what will I be doing in Korea, how did this come about?So I am going to take some time to relay the story and hopefully answer all of the questions I have received in this post.

I have been having some problems with my boss since January. It is a long story so I will not bore you. It all boils down to me being placed on a written warning for complaints against my teaching. These complaints are untrue but there is nothing that can be done about it.

In January I decided to stay and try to work through the differences. I continued to do my job to the best of my ability and received nothing but great reviews from my students and my boss. However, in July my boss decided to extend my written warning for 3 more months. The reasons for the extension were not valid so I informed her I would begin looking for a new job.

I have been thinking about going to Korea for 3 years now. When I first moved here I had a roommate who had just returned from teaching at this exact place. I began looking for jobs in the city but I was unsure what I really wanted to do now. I had dinner with Erica, my friend who had gone to Korea, and I asked her about her experience. At this point I began to pray.

I contacted the University and everything progressed from there. I will probably be leaving on October 27th and be in Korea for 1 year. I will be teaching conversational English at many age levels. I will have an elementary school class, high school, and a college class. I believe I will be doing some other things as well.

This is not a mission's trip but I will have an opportunity to minister to fellow Christians that I meet in Korea. I know that there will be opportunities for Bible studies as well with my students. I am unsure of the doors the Lord will open while I am there but I am looking forward to see what he is going to do.

I will be teaching at Chonbuk National University in Jeonju, Jeonbuk South Korea.I will be about 4 hours South of Seoul, Korea. Here is the website to the university if you would like to check it out:http://cbnu.edu/

I received my passport in the mail yesterday.It only took three weeks from the time I submitted the paperwork.This is an amazing turn around time because it is suppose to take 4 weeks at the least amount of time.

I also have more good news about my plane tickets.I spoke with the Embassy today and I do not need to purchase round trip tickets in order to get my visa. This is because I will be there a year and I am unable to purchase tickets that far in advance.I was online yesterday and found tickets from San Francisco to Seoul from $481.It will cost me $130 to fly from here to San Francisco.By buying the tickets separately I save about $300. The Lord is working all things together for the good.

I am very excited to see how He continues to work all of the details for my trip out.I also want everyone to know that I will really miss my sister here in Minneapolis.I got an email because I didn't mention her in my last post!!It wasn't an oversight it was a given that it is going to be extremely hard to leave her just when we have become close friends. I love you Lydia and I will miss you tons! Thank you for your continued prayers.

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

I will be leaving sometime around October 27th to teach English in Korea for a year. I am super excited about this and a little nervous. I will have internet and email while I am there so you won't be able to escape!! When I leave all email, snail mail, or phone calls will be welcomed. When I get my address and phoen number I will post it on my blog.

I do have a few prayer requests. I get reimbursed $1300 for airfair, however everything I am finding is $1700. Please pray that I will find a plane ticket within the amount I am going to be reimbursed. I am also very involved at my church, please pray that God would work in the hearts of individuals in my church to take on the responsibilities I have at this time. Finally, I will be leaving a wonderful church family and Natanya's family. Please pray that the Lord will give me the grace to leave these two groups of people.

I do appreciate your prayers in this matter. I will keep you updated on breaking news.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Today I went to Stephanie's new house for a visit. I had to get my twin fix. I took a ton of pictures but my camera was doing something really weird and only a few turned out. Here are reagan and Kieran at 4 months old.

Reagan is on the left and Kieran is on the right

These are the best invention ever. The girls can already feed themsleves with a little help from a boppy and the tiny wonder!

I have decided and I am actively seeking to go to Korea and teach English for a year. Don't worry for all of those out there who knew me in Teaching Elementary Grammar, it would be conversational English. I have submitted all of my paperwork and I have an interview this week sometime. I am waiting to hear back the exact day. I am asking that you please pray for me this week as I have my interview and continue to seek the Lord's will in this matter.

Update on 8.8.06: I am having my phone intervew this Wednesday at 8pm. I should know by the end of the week.

Yesterday I ran a miracle mile. I ran one mile as a warm-up lap and then I ran my second mile timed. I ran faster than I thought I could go and made it a mile in 10 minutes and 12 seconds!! I am only 12 seconds off my goal on 10 minutes. I have to give a big thank you to Charlie because he pushed me to pick up the pace.

Maybe I will try to beat that time when I run with my friend Kristi at Bob Jones this Saturday. I will be heading down there for my cousin Beth's wedding. I am pumped to see some old friends. There will be pictures after I get back hoome from vacation.

Tuesday, August 08, 2006

The last weekend in July about 10 of us from church headed to Rum River State Forest to camp for the weekend. We had a great time. It averaged around 100 degrees during the day. We had to find activities to keep us cool. We shot guns a lot which was great!

We went for a drive and saw some redneck art.

We also went swimming in the Rum River but I forgot to take pictures. I brought my camera but never put it to use. At 3:15am Saturday morning my pastor came to my tent and said get up a storm is coming fast. The winds were blowing probably 40 to 50 MPH at that time. We packed our entire camp in 22 minutes. here is a picture of my car as I drove home. I just rolled everything up and put in where it would fit. It took many hours to get all of it straightened out.

A few weeks ago some co-workers and I went putt putt golfing. We had a blast. it was very hot so Emily and I decided to go for a little dip in the waterfall below. It was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed spending time with my friends from work. We all missed Te and hope she will be able to make it next time.

Here is the whole gang minus myself. From left to right Stephanie, Susan, and Emily. Stephanie is holding Kieran and Susan is holding Reagan. Stephanie and I played putt putt with a baby each. it was defientely a handicap! But a really good one.

In July the Singles Group hosted a teen lockin at our church. This was my first lockin ever. I had a blast. Thank you to all those who helped as well as the teens who came to make it such a great time. Here are a few pictures from our scavenger hunt at the Mall of America.